KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress leader and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has recorded his statement before the high-level investigation commission formed to probe the Gen-Z movement.
Lekhak appeared before the commission on Monday and responded to questions raised by the officials through verbal testimony, while also submitting a written statement prepared in advance.
He informed that he recorded his statement for around two and a half hours, during which he clarified the actions and decisions taken in his capacity as Home Minister during the Gen-Z movement held on September 8 and 9.
According to Lekhak, a meeting of the security coordination committee was held a day before the protest, where he had clearly instructed security agencies not to use force against demonstrators.
“I clearly instructed the security agencies on two to three points in my capacity as Home Minister,” Lekhak said. “First, there should be no casualties and no situation leading to loss of life. Second, peace and security should be maintained through proper coordination. Third, as the protest was not led by any political group, it could be leaderless and vulnerable to infiltration, so extra caution was necessary. That was the essence of my instructions.”
Lekhak has also made public a copy of the written response submitted to the commission.
The high-level probe commission is investigating the incidents of violence, vandalism, and arson that occurred during the Gen-Z movement in Kathmandu and other major cities, which later led to Lekhak’s resignation from the post of Home Minister.
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